All AT&T iPhone 3G Stock Diverted to Pre-Pay Customers

While most of the attention has been on iPhone 3G stock at Apple Stores (rightfully so, since Apple is hoarding most of them) anyone not in driving distance of an Apple Store has to get theirs in AT&T land. So here's the sorta good news, if you're patient: If you do AT&T's direct fulfillment deal—pay for it in full, then they call you to pick it up when it arrives—you'll get your phone in about two weeks on average, guaranteed. And the bad news:

All the phones are going to the direct fulfillment program, so don't expect to just walk into a store and buy one. They're not getting them, and won't, until the shortage is over:

We hope to begin re-stocking our stores as soon as we can, but first priority goes to those customers who purchased through direct fulfillment.

Our advice? If you've gotta have one NOW, take Friday off, drive to an Apple Store before it opens, and make an urban camping trip out of it—bring beef jerky, a fishing pole (to fend off panhandlers) and guitar to sing Kumbaya, which, with any luck, will drive people out of line. [AT&T]

credit - http://gizmodo.com/5028669/all-att-iphone-3g-stock-diverted-to-pre+pay-customers

Mossberg gives MobileMe a dreaded "can't recommend"

Walt Mossberg, who often borders on fanboy in his reviews on Apple's products, gave a dreaded thumbs down to Apple's MobileMe service.  MobileMe, which has had un-Apple-like hiccups and false starts has put a dent in Apple's brand veneer.  Honestly, we'd like to see Apple get some help from Google in this area....it obviously isn't Apple's stong point.

credit - http://www.9to5mac.com/mossberg-mobileme

Most Expensive iPhone App Champion: MyAccountsToGo Costs More Than an Unsubsidized iPhone

At $449, MyAccountsToGo Dynamics GP and MyAccountsToGo SAP BusinessOne are the most expensive iPhone Apps available as of right now. It's under the Finance category and is designed for sales, marketing and finance people to access their transactions, statements, and other corporate terms that we have no clue about. Since the most we know about "business" is "business time", we can't say whether or not the $449 is worth the cash, but we do know that you should buy both apps and just make it an even $898. There's a free version if you want to know what the excitement's all about. Just don't accidentally buy the paid version.

credit - gizmondo.com

Tracker Checks Apple Store iPhone 3G Stock Every 15 Minutes

While Apple's website updates its Apple Store iPhone 3G stock count every night after 9PM, the guys running the iPhone 3G availability tracker at Top Muffin say the data is actually updated throughout the day. So it hits the feed every 15 minutes, theoretically providing the most up-to-date stock count around. Or you could just, you know, call the store and have a real live person tell you to bring some sunscreen, an umbrella and some s'mores since a wave of diarrhea cut the line down to a mere 7 hours. [Top Muffin via 9to5Mac]

credit - http://gizmodo.com/5028627/tracker-checks-apple-store-iphone-3g-stock-every-15-minutes

Rumor: MacBook touch Coming in October

Those clamoring for an Apple tablet may finally get what you've been waiting for. According to a MacDailyNews source who leaked wireless iTunes a week before its official announcement, we can expect a sort of "MacBook touch" in October. And the source wasn't light on the details, either:

Think MacBook screen, possibly a bit smaller, in glass with iPhone-like, but fuller-featured Multi-Touch. Gesture library. Full Mac OS X. This is why they bought P.A. Semi. Possibly with Immersion's haptic tech. Slot-loading SuperDrive. Accelerometer. GPS. Pretty expensive to produce initially, but sold at "low" price that will reduce margins. Apple wants to move these babies. And move they will. This is some sick shit. App Store-compatible, able to run Mac apps, too. By October at the latest.In all honesty, we may have passed this story up, but we've heard vague reports from reliable sources that Quanta is busy building a touch product for Apple. This latest information seems seems to compliment what we've heard. [MacDailyNews]

credit - http://gizmodo.com/5027706/rumor-macbook-touch-coming-in-october

Make Your Old iPhone Dock Accommodate Your iPhone 3G's Bulbous Ass

There's no dock in the iPhone 3G's box. And the iPhone 3G doesn't fit in the original iPhone's dock. You could pay $29 for a new one. Or you could just make the damn thing fit in the dock you already have. All you need is steady hands, a Dremel and a buffing cloth. Carve, buff, voila. Here are the happy, frugal results:

Of course, your original iPhone might not fit so harmoniously after this mod. [Hard Mac

With the launch of iPhone 3G, many have been waiting and hoping for a method that would allow tethering of the iPhone to a mobile computer like, say, a MacBook. Well, lucky for your mobile warriors, that time has finally come - it’s just takes a bit of work to get it functioning. Do remember, though, that AT&T isn’t offering any sort of tethering plan with the iPhone, so if you get caught, you may be forced to pay a bunch of money out of pocket. Or your service could be shut off. Still, if that isn’t something that matters to you, then click on through for the instructions, provided by my pal Nate True. He took a bunch of different pieces of software and solutions, and mixed them together into a powerful concoction that allows you to use your iPhone 3G as a modem by way of 3Proxy, Terminal, and WiFi. Now all we need are batteries for the iPhone 3G that don’t die in a matter of seconds.